Can I eat cooked bacon that was left out

Well... its not a best food safety practice, but of all the infractions its hardly the worst.

Raw food left sitting out and not in the fridge is bad because the bacteria that is in it (especially food) will multiply and leave toxin byproducts - this is what makes you sick and makes the food taste and smell "off". Since the bacon was cooked... and at the fat rendering temperature of bacon fat/grease well beyond the survival range of most bacteria, if the bacon was good before it was cooked, all the harmful things in it have since been killed. And its not like crispy cooked bacon gets less crispy at it gets 'stale'.. if that even is a thing for cooked bacon.

Yes, leaving it out uncovered could lead to airborne bacteria and so you should cover it up... but its going to be the same airborne gunk that covers the countertops, the seats, the clean plates stacked up - your immune system should be able to handle that stuff.

I admit, if I use most of a pound of bacon for serving at breakfast, Ill cook the extra pieces and leave them on the kitchen counter for snacking later on. Its bacon.

There are a whole lot of unfortunate and persistent myths about bacon. This salty, savory delight is rumored to be both practically poisonous and safely indestructible with no expiration date, but how long can bacon really stay out of the fridge? Can you really die from eating bacon, or can you keep it sitting on the counter forever and snack as you like hours or days later? The confusion comes from the fact that you can cure bacon for shelf-stable storage, but most of it is not. I will explain the bacon mystery and share important bacon facts as well. Next time you have your favorite breakfast food laying around, youĺl know everything you need about how long it can sit before you need to toss it in the fridge.

How long can cooked bacon stay out of the fridge? Cooked bacon can stay outside the fridge for about two hours. This is the commonly accepted safety zone for cooked food. Anything longer, and you are at risk for food poisoning from bacteria that thrive in the post-cooking environment provided by room temperature bacon and other meats. 

Does Fully Cooked Bacon Need To Be Refrigerated

It seems obvious; raw bacon needs to go in the fridge. However, cooked bacon is a different story, and you may wonder if it needs to be refrigerated at all. Like any non-cured meat, bacon needs to stay cold after you cook it. 

If there’s leftover bacon, which is a bit of an oxymoron, then you should put it in the fridge within two to four hours. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of dangerous bacteria growing. Taking the time to wrap up that extra bacon could save you a lot of pain and sickness later. 

Although it is alright to allow your bacon to cool down, you shouldn’t wait too long before putting it in the fridge. According to Still Tasty, “Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked bacon should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.”

Notably, people who live in warmer climates may need to put food away sooner. Especially when it is ninety degrees indoor or more, food goes off faster. When it’s hot, stow food in the fridge within an hour. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Cooking bacon brings out the best possible flavor and adds crunch. Sadly, it does not remove any of the dangerous bacteria from the air or surfaces. Even a covered plate of bacon is still a risk you should avoid. Instead of worrying, enjoy your bacon freshly cooked, and store the extra as soon as it cools to room temperature.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;I recommend cooking your bacon in an &lt;span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large product-title-word-break"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GBYCC27?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eslite Life Divided Frying Grill Pan from Amazon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. This clever pan allows you to make three different portions in the same pan without mixing your foods. Better still, it is compatible with induction cook surfaces. &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GBYCC27?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;To find out more, click here.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Can Bacon Be Stored At Room Temperature&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;It may surprise you to learn that you can store bacon at room temperature. As odd as it sounds, properly prepared and stored bacon can stay out of the fridge for a very long time. The trick is that it isn’t the sliced bacon you get raw and packaged at the grocery store.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-107" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 box-4 box-4107 adtester-container adtester-container-107" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-box-4"&gt;&lt;span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-box-4-0" ezaw="336" ezah="280" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:280px;min-width:336px" class="ezoic-ad"&gt;&lt;script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none"&gt;if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'homezesty_com-box-4','ezslot_7',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-box-4-0');Smoked, cured bacon is far from raw. In fact, it has cooked for many hours before it gets cooled down and served or wrapped. Between the high salt content and the cooking process, the water has been removed. This bacon is more like jerky than the greasy, crispy breakfast food you make at home.&nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The good news it that cured pork is completely shelf-stable. You can keep it in the pantry or leave it on the counter. However, this only applies until you open it. Once you crack the seal, you should eat it within ten days. You can stretch that time frame to four weeks if you refrigerate your cured meat.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Well-cured meat doesn’t have bacteria. It is this microscopic issue that causes illness. Without bacteria, there’s nothing to make you sick, so a sealed container won’t typically develop salmonella or other problematic growth.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;It’s important to know that this is &lt;a href="https://bacontoday.com/2019/07/18/bacon-101/#:~:text" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;dry-cured&lt;/i&gt; meat&lt;/a&gt;. Other pork products such as raw or cooked bacon and bacon grease are not safe to leave at room temperature. Please adhere to the USDA safety standards for your bacon products for your own safety and health.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last In The Refrigerator&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-108" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 banner-1 banner-1108 adtester-container adtester-container-108" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-banner-1"&gt;&lt;span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-banner-1-0" ezaw="336" ezah="280" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:280px;min-width:336px" class="ezoic-ad"&gt;&lt;script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none"&gt;if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'homezesty_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-banner-1-0');While cooked bacon can stay out of the fridge for an hour or two, what about&nbsp;&lt;em&gt;in&lt;/em&gt; the fridge? Most foods last around a week if you keep them cool. Proper storage matters, though, and too much moisture or open packages can wreck the flavor of your food.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-autoinsert-ad ezoic-under_second_paragraph"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;p&gt;Moreover, excess moisture is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria inside your fridge. Always make sure damp or greasy items are packed in zipper bags or well-sealed containers. The same goes for odiferous items like onions and garlic.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Cooked bacon will generally last four or five days in a cold fridge. However, you can freeze fully cooked bacon for up to a month. Luckily, even thick-cut bacon is easy to thaw. Plus, bacon preserves well in the freezer.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Opt for a wrapped layer, such as foil. Then place your bacon in a freezer bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Better still, vacuum seal it, so your meats stay fresh and avoid freezer burn.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-115" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 large-leaderboard-2 large-leaderboard-2115 adtester-container adtester-container-115" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-large-leaderboard-2"&gt;&lt;span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-leaderboard-2-0" ezaw="300" ezah="250" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;min-height:250px;min-width:300px" class="ezoic-ad"&gt;&lt;script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none"&gt;if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'homezesty_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');For crispy bacon, choose a <span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large product-title-word-break"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018EGNR8I?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WaxonWare Granite Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan</strong></a>. This smart breakfast solution offers an eco-friendly, nontoxic way to make any meal more enjoyable. This pan is not only anti-warp, but it’s also induction and dishwasher friendly for easy use. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018EGNR8I?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Have Amazon deliver WaxonWare to your door by clicking here.&nbsp;</strong></a></span></p> <h3>Bacon Grease In The Fridge</h3> <p>Unlike whole bacon, the grease from this tasty meat product can last longer. Though you should never store it at room temperature, bacon grease will last up to a month in the fridge. Likewise, you can store it for six months in the freezer.&nbsp;</p><span class="ezoic-autoinsert-ad ezoic-incontent_6"></span><span style="clear:both;display:block" id="ez-clearholder-leader-2"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 leader-2 leader-2701 adtester-container adtester-container-701" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-leader-2"><span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-leader-2-0" ezaw="336" ezah="280" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:280px;min-width:336px" class="ezoic-ad"><script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none">if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'homezesty_com-leader-2','ezslot_19',701,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-leader-2-0');

For optimum flavor, you want to store grease in well-sealed containers. The less air inside, the better it will taste. Thus, I suggest choosing a container that barely fits the bacon grease you have. 

Can You Eat Bacon Bits That Have Been Left Out Overnight

Unlike bacon, bacon bits can be real, imitation, or cured. Furthermore, only some bacon bits need to be refrigerated immediately, like bacon. The storage method depends on the type you have. 

1. Real Bacon Bits- Whether they’re made at home, or store-bought, cooked bacon is the same in any shape. That includes ‘bits.’ All cooked bacon needs to be stored in the fridge. Store-bought, your favorite salad topper can last up to six weeks in the fridge. However, you can also put them in the freezer for up to six months. 
2. Imitation Bacon Bits- When your bacon bits are imitation, you can leave them on the counter overnight without a problem. Bacon flavor on vegetable protein may taste identical, but the physical difference allows it to be shelf-stable. 
3. Cured Bacon Bits- Exactly like other cured bacon and pork, you can leave these out as long as you don’t open them. However, once you pop them open, you should refrigerate or freeze your bacon. 

Can You Eat Bacon That Has Been Left In A Car Overnight

Please do not eat bacon that has been left in the car overnight. Even cooked bacon can’t stay out of the fridge for long. Both pre-cooked and raw bacon will go off faster in a warm car than they would on a cool counter. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-125" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;You may not want to throw away bacon, but if it sat in your car overnight, you should. The only exception to this rule is when your car was cold. At or near freezing, your car is as cold inside as your fridge or freezer. In that case, you should be fine, but always make sure you check the outdoor temps before you ‘rescue’ the car-bacon.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;A fifteen-inch &lt;span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large product-title-word-break"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y3ESSQC?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Master Pan Non-Stick Divided Skillet from Amazon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; is a superb way to make any bacon-based meal. You can cook bacon, eggs, and anything else you like for breakfast without blending the flavors using the five different compartments. Not only is this pan nonstick, but it also resists stains. &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y3ESSQC?tag=homezesty-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read the outstanding reviews when you click here.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;iframe loading="lazy" title="How Do You Know if Your Bacon Is Good? : Nutritious Dishes &amp; Advice" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iOmzrdOf8dw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;span class="ezoic-autoinsert-ad ezoic-bottom_of_page"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-111" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 large-mobile-banner-1 large-mobile-banner-1111 adtester-container adtester-container-111" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-1"&gt;&lt;span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0" ezaw="300" ezah="250" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;min-height:250px;min-width:300px" class="ezoic-ad"&gt;&lt;script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none"&gt;if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_16',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Eating bacon is a great way to add flavor to any meal. There are many good reasons to add bacon to your food in moderation, but leaving it out too long can become dangerous.&nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;No one wants to go to the hospital over breakfast food. At best, you’ll get lucky and have no issue with your bacon, but at worst, it could kill you. Extreme food poisoning is rare, but it can happen. Vomiting, diarrhea, and other intestinal difficulties are more common.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-autoinsert-ad ezoic-incontent_7"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="clear:both;display:block" id="ez-clearholder-large-mobile-banner-2"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 large-mobile-banner-2 large-mobile-banner-2702 adtester-container adtester-container-702" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-2"&gt;&lt;span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0" ezaw="250" ezah="250" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:90px;min-width:728px" class="ezoic-ad"&gt;&lt;script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none"&gt;if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_18',702,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); </p><p>If you suspect you ate bad bacon, please remember to hydrate and keep an eye on your temperature and general wellness. Go to the hospital if you get severely ill.&nbsp;</p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer> </article> <article class="author-card"> <a target="_blank" href="https://homezesty.com/author/aron/" alt="link to Eric author page"> <div class="avatar-container" style="background-image:url('https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f96382a3c46b5f31f32d5ff8d4be5a73?s=96&d=mm&r=g')"> </div> </a> <div class="author-info"> <header> <p class="h3"><a target="_blank" href="https://homezesty.com/author/aron/">Eric</a></p> </header> <p></p> </div> </article> <h3 class="h2">Recent Content</h3> <div class="recent-articles-container"><span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-114" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-2 nativedouble-1 nativedouble-1114 adtester-container adtester-container-114" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-nativedouble-1"><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-ob-contenturl="https://homezesty.com/how-long-can-cooked-bacon-stay-out-of-the-fridge/" data-ob-installation-key="EZOICL9MFJN21JB32NFBE7ODP" data-external-id="328306_1_114_100x480" data-widget-id="AR_1"></div> <div data-expand="100" class="ezlazyload" data-script="//widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js"></div></span> <article class="article-card" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting"> <a target="_blank" href="https://homezesty.com/can-you-put-a-queen-mattress-on-a-full-bed-frame/" rel="nofollow"><div class="image-container" style="background-image:url('https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/queen-bed-6078054_1280.jpg')"></div><span class="sr-only">link to Can you Put a Queen Mattress on a Full Bed Frame</span></a> <div class="copy-container"> <header> <p><a target="_blank" itemprop="name" href="https://homezesty.com/can-you-put-a-queen-mattress-on-a-full-bed-frame/">Can you Put a Queen Mattress on a Full Bed Frame</a></p> </header> <div class="excerpt"> <p> If you are in a pinch and you do not have a queen-sized bed frame for your queen-sized mattress, you may wish to try to place the mattress on smaller full bed frame. Is this a clever idea or not? I...</p><div class="button-container"><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="button reverse" href="https://homezesty.com/can-you-put-a-queen-mattress-on-a-full-bed-frame/">Continue Reading</a></div> </div> </div> <meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/queen-bed-6078054_1280.jpg"> <meta itemprop="image" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/queen-bed-6078054_1280.jpg"> <span itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="name" content="Home Zesty"> </span> <meta itemprop="logo" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/home-zesty-logo-300x300.jpg"> <meta itemprop="name" content="Can you Put a Queen Mattress on a Full Bed Frame"> <meta itemprop="headline" content="Can you Put a Queen Mattress on a Full Bed Frame"> <meta itemprop="author" content="Eric"> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="2022-09-11"> <meta itemprop="dateModified" content="2022-09-11"> </article> <article class="article-card" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting"> <a target="_blank" href="https://homezesty.com/how-long-will-a-smoke-detector-beep-before-it-stops/" rel="nofollow"><div class="image-container" style="background-image:url('https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/smoke-detector-beeps.jpg')"></div><span class="sr-only">link to How Long will a Smoke Detector Beep Before it Stops - Certified Electrician Explains</span></a> <div class="copy-container"> <header> <p><a target="_blank" itemprop="name" href="https://homezesty.com/how-long-will-a-smoke-detector-beep-before-it-stops/">How Long will a Smoke Detector Beep Before it Stops - Certified Electrician Explains</a></p> </header> <div class="excerpt"> <p> Noticing your smoke detector starting to beep randomly can be frustrating. In most cases, the beeping can start to happen at intervals. Unfortunately, when the beeping happens, most users do not...</p><div class="button-container"><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="button reverse" href="https://homezesty.com/how-long-will-a-smoke-detector-beep-before-it-stops/">Continue Reading</a></div> </div> </div> <meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/smoke-detector-beeps.jpg"> <meta itemprop="image" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/smoke-detector-beeps.jpg"> <span itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="name" content="Home Zesty"> </span> <meta itemprop="logo" src="https://homezesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/home-zesty-logo-300x300.jpg"> <meta itemprop="name" content="How Long will a Smoke Detector Beep Before it Stops – Certified Electrician Explains"> <meta itemprop="headline" content="How Long will a Smoke Detector Beep Before it Stops – Certified Electrician Explains"> <meta itemprop="author" content="Eric"> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="2022-08-22"> <meta itemprop="dateModified" content="2022-08-22"> </article> </div> </main> </div> <aside id="secondary" class="widget-area"> <div class="about-wrapper"> <h2 class="widget-title">About Us</h2> <p class="about-copy">Welcome to our site on home tips and tricks </p> </div><span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-101" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 box-1 box-1101 adtester-container adtester-container-101 ezoic-ad-adaptive" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-box-1"><span class="ezoic-ad box-1 box-1-multi-101 adtester-container adtester-container-101" data-ez-name="homezesty_com-box-1"><span id="div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-box-1-0" ezaw="300" ezah="262" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;min-height:262px;min-width:300px" class="ezoic-ad"><script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" style="display:none">if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'homezesty_com-box-1','ezslot_8',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homezesty_com-box-1-0');

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon, Awin and other companies linked to on this site.